Lane and colleagues from from the Philosophy and Ethics of Technology at TU Delft reveal that developers of European quantum computing capacity favour contractual and transactional models of access. These choices have sharp implications for Europe’s technological independence, economic future, knowledge security, and commitment to open science. By revealing prevailing framings of access, the study advocates a shift away from zero-sum approaches and towards a more open and collaborative access regime for this emerging technology. Contractual access dominates current preferences for European quantum computing A strong focus on contractual access to European quantum computing capacity is evident, contrasting with calls for more open models. The OpenSuperQPlus project is delivering rapid progress, poised to offer larger functioning prototypes, a threshold previously unattainable due to limitations in qubit stability and coherence. Quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics, superposition and entanglement, to perform calculations beyond the reach of classical computers. Maintaining qubit coherence, the duration for which a qubit retains its quantum state, is a significant engineering challenge. Recent advancements in materials science and control systems are extending coherence times, paving the way for more complex and reliable quantum computations. Consequently, a re-evaluation of access policies is now necessary. Survey results from researchers involved in the project demonstrate that current framings of access lean towards transactional approaches, potentially limiting wider participation and innovation. This preference for contractual arrangements is driven by factors such as the substantial investment required to build and maintain quantum infrastructure, and the desire to recoup these costs through commercial applications. Pharmaceutical companies are heavily investing in quantum computing for drug discovery, potentially overshadowing socially beneficial applications like climate modelling which receive comparatively less funding. Quantum algorithms, such as Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) and Quantum Approximate Optimisation Algorithm (QAOA), are being explored for simulating molecular interactions and accelerating